Apparatus and method for making multiple ply sets

ABSTRACT

Multiple ply sets having a primary (record) portion and a discardable (stub) portion are made by performing selected work operations concurrently with one set of tooling in a plurality of superposed webs. The webs are then diverted into paths of predetermined differing lengths, remerged, then severed into multiple ply sets. The differing path lengths assure that the manifestation of the selected work operations will be in the primary portion in those plies where it is desired (e.g., a thumb notch for carbon sheets) but effectively shifted into the discardable (detachable stub) portion in those plies (e.g., card or paper slip) where it is tolerable though not particularly desirable. This enables a significant reduction in number of work stations, and hence in equipment cost, set-up and maintenance time, overall machine size, and in-process web length. Some work operations are performed by pairs of rotary tool cylinders, each independently orientable in a predetermined number of rotative positions to provide a plurality of different combinations of rotative positions for performing correspondingly different work operations from one side or the other side of a web as it passes between said cylinders.

United States Patent 1191 Maynard et al.

[ 1 Oct. 30, 1973 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING MULTIPLE PLY SETS [75]Inventors: Kenneth B. Maynard, Sherman,

Tex.; Thomas M. Paulson, East Brunswick, NJ.

[73] Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.

22 Filed: Jan. 17, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 218,390

Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-L. R. OremlandAttorney-Henry E. Otto, Jr. et al.

57 ABSTRACT Multiple ply sets having a primary (record) portion and adiscardable (stub) portion are made by performing selected workoperations concurrently with one set of tooling in a plurality ofsuperposed webs. The webs are then diverted into paths of predetermineddiffering lengths, remerged, then severed into multiple ply sets. Thediffering path lengths assure that the manifestation of the selectedwork operations will be in the primary portion in those plies where itis desired (e.g., a thumb notch for carbon sheets) but effectivelyshifted into the discardable (detachable stub) portion in those plies(e.g., card or paper slip) where it is tolerable though not particularlydesirable. This enables a significant reduction in number of workstations, and hence in equipment cost, set-up and maintenance time,overall machine size, and in-process web length.

different work operations from one side or the other side of a web as itpasses between said cylinders.

' 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Oct. 30, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Oct. 30, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKINGMULTIPLE PLY SETS This invention relates to apparatus and methods formanufacturing multiple ply sets from webs of paper, cardstock, carbonpaper, translucent paper, carbonless paper, or the like, and relatesmore particularly to an apparatus and method wherein a single set oftooling performs a work operation concurrently in a plurality of movingwebs that are later displaced relative to each other, remerged andsevered into discrete sets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One common method of making multiple plysets is to advance a plurality of webs individually in parallel past aseries of work stations at which only those particular work operationsthat are actually desired are performed on the webs involved. Thismethod requires a considerable number of work stations, and henceequipment, space and in-process web length. To reduce equipment andspace requirements, multiple ply sets have also been made by passingwebs of similar type as superposed groups through respective series ofwork stations, then rearranging the webs by use of turn bars or winding,unwinding and collating to provide the desired strata of plies of thevarious types before severing the webs into discrete multiple ply sets.

There is a need for a relatively inexpensive and reliable apparatus andmethod that will provide multiple ply sets at minimum cost by minimizingthe number of work stations, in-process web length, set-up andmaintenance time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Most multiple ply sets have stub portions,header portions, or other discardable portions that serve only a minorfunction like retaining the plies connected. Applicants have found,according to the invention, that manufacturing cost for such sets can bereduced significantly by performing in a group of superposed webs a workoperation that is actually desired in only some of said webs; whereuponthe webs of said group are advanced in paths of differing length, andthen remerged and severed into discrete multiple ply sets. The pathlengths are preselected to cause the manifestation of the work operationto appear at the proper location in those sets where it is desired, butto be shifted to the discardable portion in the remaining plies where itis tolerable but not desired or required.

The apparatus according to applicants invention thus differs from thatdisclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,307,142, wherein the work operation is onethat is desired and required in all webs, but at different longituclinalpositions on webs having no discardable portions.

Cost is further reduced by providing versatile work stations includingpairs of rotary tool cylinders at opposite sides of at least one of theweb paths; at least one of these cylinders is orientable in a pluralityof rotative positions to perform any one of a number of different workoperations from either or both sides of a web.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingmore detailed description of the invention and from the followingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of an apparatus embodying theinventions;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view, to enlarged scale, of a portion of theapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, to further enlarged scale, of aversatile work station embodied in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the work station shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a multiple ply set made by the apparatusof FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION The invention is illustrated as being embodied in theapparatus partially shown in FIG. 1 and adapted to make so-called grainlong sets of the type shown in FIG. 5. This apparatus comprises unwindsections and printing sections (not shown) in which webs A-G aresuccessively unwound from respective supply reels and then each printedupon individually in respective rotary printing presses. Webs A-G thenadvance in superposed relation into a processing station 10 at whichthey are separated, scored, cross-perforated, thumbnotched, glue-holepunched and adhesive is applied intermittently at preselectedlongitudinal positions, in the manner presently to be described.

As they leave the processing station 10, the webs A-G are remerged andfed superposed between impactor rolls 11 that press the webs A-Gtogether at said preselected locations to set the adhesive. Then punchrolls 12 punch pin feed line holes in the webs to receive the pins of apin feed tractor 13 that draws all webs through the apparatus at apredetermined constant speed. Tractor 13 advances the webs, stillsuperposed, to numbering stations 14, 15 for crash numbering the webs inlongitudinal and/or transverse directions. Then, the webs (if multipleset widths wide) are slit into single set widths by a slitter 16 as theyare advanced by pin feed tractor pin 17 to a score unit 18 and cut-offunit 19 at which the webs AG are finally severed into discrete multipleplies AG to provide face-up grain long sets (see FIG. 5). A pairofjuxtaposed endless belts 20 receive the series of side-by-sidearranged single-width sets as they leave the cut-off rolls and advancethem into cam-opened clips on a drum 21. This drum, like a drier drum ona rotary press, moves the sets through an arcuate path and then releasesthem, inverting the sets in the process to cause them to be stacked facedown on an endless delivery belt 22 that conveys them to an off-loadstation.

The apparatus heretofore described, except for processing station 10,may be of any suitable type heretofore proposed. According to theinvention, and as best shown in FIG. 2, processing section 10 comprisesa plurality of driven tendency rolls 30, support idler rolls 31,

glue units including adhesive-applying gravure cylinders 32 andassociated impression cylinders 32a, cross-perforation units 33, andshovel punch units 34. As illustrated, section 10 also comprises a thumbnotch cylinder 35 and associated die cylinder 35a; a special stub scorecylinder 36 and associated impression cylinder 36a; and a glue holepunch 37 cylinder and associated die cylinder 37a. For sake ofillustration webs A, E are considered to be of cardstock; webs B,D,F, ofcarbon or other transfer material; and webs C,G of paper, to provide theso-called four-part set shown in FIG. 5 and comprising two card pliesA,E, two paper plies C, G, and three interleaved carbon plies B',D,F.

Each tendency roll 30 has laterally spaced collars or flanges withbeveled facing sides to maintain one or more of the webs A-G in lateralregistration as the webs are guided around such roll or through thechannel defined between two such rolls. Each tendency roll 30 is drivenby suitable means (not shown) at a constant speed approximately 5percent less than the predetermined constant speed at which the webs A-Gare drawn through the apparatus by pin feed tractor 13. This maintainseach web under a desired minimum degree of tension to minimize variationin running registration, but does not create the excessive drag on thewebs such as would occur if the rolls were idlers that had to be drivenby the webs.

Rolls 31 support the webs A, G from drooping or festooning along therelatively long horizontal portions of their respective auxiliary paths.

Each gravure cylinder 32 is rotated partially immresed in a trough ofliquid adhesive. As its immersed surface leaves the adhesive, it iswiped by a doctor blade 51 which removes adhesive except in those areaswhere the cylinder is etched. As cylinder 32 continues to rotate intocontact with web A or G, as the case may be, the adhesive is applied tosuch web in the pattern prescribed by the etched areas, while such webis backed up by the corresponding impression cylinder 32a.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each crossperforation unit 33 comprisesa shaft having two oppositely arranged flat-bottomed recesses 61.Suitably inset in each recess 61 is an anvil element 62 that is securedto shaft 60 by countersunk screws 63. Elements 62 are thus diametricallyopposite. Each projects radially from the periphery of shaft 60 andextends fully across the web feed path. Slidably encircling shaft 60outboard of elements 62 are two rings 64 (FIG. 4), each having a pair ofdiametrically opposite sectorshaped recesses 65 in its periphery. Awedge-shaped blade-carrying member 66 is inset flush into each recess65, and suitably secured to both rings 64, as by screws 67. Each member66 carries a cross-perforating blade 68 that extends qcross the entireweb feed path intermediate rings 64. Each of the plurality of shoulderbolts 69 passes through a common spacer block 70 and corresponding slotin blade 68 and is screw-threaded into a corresponding bore in member 66to clamp the blade to the member at spaced points along the member.Block 70 has a lip or ledge 71 on which the radially innermost end ofthe blade rests. Between the bolts 69 are a series of adjusting screws72 that extend radially toward a surface 73 defining the base ofspacer-blockaccommodating recess 74. In assembly, bolts 69 are firstadjusted to lightly, but not rigidly, retain blade 68; then shaft 60 isrotated to radially seat the blade by moving it pastand in contact withanvil surface 80 of unit 34; then with the inner end of screws 72contacting surface 73, each screw is adjusted to position the bladeradially as desired; whereupon bolts 69 are tightened to rigidly clampthe blade.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the diametrically oppositeblades 68 revolve in unison about shaft 60 and can be positioned at anyrotative position within the limits of an are x defined by lateralcontact of member 66 with one or the other of the elements 62. Rings 64are laterally secured to split hubs 75 that encircle shaft 60; bytightening screws 76, these hubs and hence the rings, members 66 andblade 68 can be clamped to the shaft, thus enabling the blades to befirmly positioned anywhere within are x and thus to correspondinglyadjust the relative location along the web which a cross-perforationwill be made by each blade 68 as and when such blade forces the webagainst either of two anvil surfaces of a corresponding shovel punchunit 34.

Each shovel punch unit 34 comprises a cylinder 81 having two sets ofdiametrically opposite recesses 82, 83 arcuately offset a slight anglerelative to each other and extending inwardly from and between therespective complementary peripheral surfaces 80 of the cylinder. Insetin each of the oppositely arranged recesses 82 is a shovel punch scoreblade 84 that, like blade 68, extends across the entire web feed path.Each blade 84 rests on a lip 85 of a spacer block 86 and is laterallyclamped to cylinder 81 at axially spaced points therealong by aplurality of shoulder bolts 87. Each bolt 87 (unlike bolt 69) iswithdrawn from the common block 86 to spread the blade and bolt toeffect clamping of the blade. Radial positioning of each blade 84 is,however, adjustable by a radially extending adjusting screw 88 carriedby block 86 and operative in the same manner as screw 72.

A shovel punch score blade 84 is clamped in desired position within eachrecess 83 by bolt 87, screw 88 and block 86, in precisely the samemanner as already described in connection with recess 82. The onlydifference is that blade 84 makes a shovel punch that is different fromthat of blade 84.

As illustrated, cylinder 81 is rotatable on a shaft 89 and adapted to beoriented and locked by any suitable means in any one of three rotativepositions relative to the shaft. In the embodiment illustrated, thislocking means comprises a bullet-nosed pin 90 that is carried by acollar 91 locked by a key 91a to shaft 89. Pin 90 is normally springbiased (e.g., by a leaf spring, not shown) to project into one of threeposition-defining bores 92, 93, 94 in the adjacent end face of cylinder81; however, it is retractable against such spring bias. to permitmanual rotation of the cylinder relative to the collar and shaft toenable selection of a different rotative position. To firmly lockcylinder 81 in selected rotative position, a locking screw is preferablyprovided which passes through hole 96 in collar 91 and is screw threadedinto one of three bores 92a, 93a, 94a diametrically opposite thecorresponding positiondefining bores 92,93,94, respectively; this screwmust, of course, be loosened and withdrawn from bore 92a, 93a, or 94a toenable orientation of the cylinder in a new rotative position by pin 90.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, pin 90 and screw 95 extend into bores 92,92a,respectively, to so orient the cylinder 81 on shaft 89 that as a webpasses between units 33 and 34, it will be pinched between the blades 84and anvil element 62 and thus scored according to the shovel punchconfiguration of blades 84. If, however, it is desired to score a webaccording to the configuration of blades 84, screw 95 and pin 90 shouldbe retracted; then cylinder 81 should be rotated counterclockwise onshaft 89 through an arc y; and-finally pin 90 and screw 95 should enterbores 93,93a, respectively, to position and lock the cylinder in theposition in which blades 84 are shown in FIG. 3, and in which blades 84'will cooperate with anvil element 62 to punch the desired score.

If no shovel punch score is desired in a web, cylinder 81 isappropriately rotated counterclockwise through an arc z from theposition in which it is shown in FIG. 3 and then positioned and lockedby pin 90 and screw 95 in bores 94,94a, respectively. Under thiscircumstance, the blades 84 and 84 will have been rotated far enoughpast anvil elements 62 so'that the outer edge 86a of block 86 in recess83 will be opposite elements 62 as the shafts 60,89 of units 33,34,respectively, rotate in unison. Each edge 86a is recessed sufficientlyrelative to the associated blade 84' to provide a clearance spacebetween it and the corresponding element 62 sufficiently wide to enablea web to pass therethrough without any work operation being performedthereon.

On the other hand, if no cross perforation is desired, rings 64 of crossperforation unit 33 are rotated and locked by screws 76 in a positionwhere cross perforation blades 68 will enter recess 82 or 83 at pointsspaced circumferentially from the blades 84, 84 rather than pinching theweb against anvil surfaces 80.

Thus, this versatile work station comprises at least one selectivelypositionable rotary tool cylinder (81) and at least one member (66)rotatively positionable on a rotary tool cylinder (60) to provide twocooperating rotary tool units having a plurality of differentcombinations of independently selectable rotative positions to provide avariety of desired combinations of work operation. This desirablyreduces in-process .web length, equipment cost, and maintanance time.

The thumb notch cylinder 35 is merely a rotary punch cylinder having asemicircular punch element that mates with an appropriate die hole indie cylinder 35a.

Special stub score cylinder 36 may be identical with cross perforationunit 33, but with a blade that cuts either a similar or a differentcross perforation pattern; and the impression cylinder 36a may merely bea hard anvil cylinder of constant outside diameter. Glue hole punchcylinder 37 comprises a plurality of punches arranged to provide adesired pattern of glue holes in webs B-F when they pass between saidcylinder and its associated die cylinder 37a.

It should be noted that all the cylinders are driven at angularvelocities which assure that when the respective blades strike theirassociated anvil surfaces or the punches enter their associated diesurfaces their speeds will by synchronized with the aforementionedpredetermined constant speed at which the tractor l3 advances thesuperposed webs A-G.

OPERATION In operation, assume that the webs AG have been printed uponand are now entering processing station as a superposed group A-G. Asthese superposed webs pass between tendency rolls 30a, the two outermostwebs A,G are directed into separate auxiliary paths that diverge atsubstantially equal angles from straight-line main path. Furtherdownstream along the main path, after webs B-F pass between another setof tendency rolls 3011, the then outer webs B,F are directed intoseparate auxiliary paths that also diverge at substantially equal anglesfrom the straight main path. Finally, still further downstream along themain path, after webs C,D,E pass between still another set of tendencyrolls 30c, the remaining outer webs C,E are directed into separateauxiliary paths that likewise diverge at substantially equal angles fromthe main path through which the single carbon web D now passestemporarily until the webs are remerged in reverse sequence; i.e., websC,E rejoin D and pass between tendency rolls 30d, then webs B,F rejoinC,D,E and pass between tendency rolls 30c, and finally webs A,G rejoinwebs B-F and pass between tendency rolls 30f, whence all seven webs A-Gpass in superposed relation into the nip of impactor rolls 11. Duringtheir movement along the main and respective auxiliary paths, variouswork operations are performed on the webs either separately orconcurrently in order to provide multiple ply sets of the typeillustrated in FIG. 5.

As illustrated, each set 100 comprises a plurality of plies A-G eachhaving a main or indicia-receptive record portion 101 and a stub orother discardable portion 102 that has a minor function (e.g.,interconnecting plies into a detachable set). As shown in FlG. 2, in therespective auxiliary feed path for each of the webs A and G is a set ofunits 33, 34 and downstream thereof a glue unit 32. The rotativepositions of blades 68 and of these units 33 are adjusted, in the mannerheretofore described, to provide cross perforations 103 at therespective longitudinal points indicated in FIG. 5; whereas thecylinders 81 of the respective units 34 are rotatively positioned, inthe manner also hereinabove described, so that a shovel punch 104 of theconfiguration prescribed by blades 84 will be provided in the cardstockweb A, but no shovel punch will be provided in web G as it passesbetween the units 33, 34 because such punches are not desired in paperplies like G. The glue units apply to the inner side of webs A and G aglue pattern 105 (see FIG. 5) corresponding to the etched pattern on theadhesive applying gravure cylinder 32.

Meanwhile, semicircular thumb notches 106 (FIG. 5) will be punchedsimultaneously in webs B-F as they proceed along the straight main feedpath and through the nip of thumb notch cylinder 35 and its die cylinder35a. After carbon webs B and F are diverted into their respectiveauxiliary feed paths, the special stub score cylinder 36 and its diecylinder 36a will provide a special score, such as a special oradditional cross perforation 107, in the webs C,D,E at a suitablelocation; whereupon, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer webs C and Eare diverted from the remaining carbon web D and past respective sets ofunits 33,34.

The units 33,34 in the feed path of paper web C are adjusted to providea cross perforation 108 of either of the types possible with blades 84or 84, but no shovel punch, as none is desired. On the other hand, theunits 33, 34 in the feed path for cardstock web E are adjusted toprovide both a cross perforation score 109 and a shovel punch 110.Meanwhile, carbon web D moves along the straight feed path without anyspecial work operation being performed thereon.

After webs B-F have remerged, glue hole punch cylinder 37 in cooperationwith its die cylinder 37a will punch glue holes 111 simultaneously inthese webs in a pattern identical with that of the glue pattern 105;this is so that after all webs A-G remerge and pass through the impactorrolls 11, the adhesive applied to the outer webs A,G will be forced intothe holes 111 in the intervening webs to interlockingly but detachablyconnect said webs at longitudinally spaced points.

According to an important feature of the invention, the lengths of themain web path and respective auxiliary paths through the processingstation 10 are predetermined in the following manner. Assume that eachset 100 has a total length L (see FIG. 5) of which S represents that ofdiscardable stub portion 102. Assume further that all feed path lengthsare measured between points Q and R (i.e., between the web-engagingpoints on tendency rolls 30a and the nip of impactor rolls ll Underthese assumed conditions, the lengths of the main feed path (which isfollowed exclusively by web D) and of the auxiliary feed paths followedby web A,B,F,G, will be integral multiples of L; but the length of therespective auxiliary paths followed by webs C and E will be an integralmultiple of L, plus a preselected constant distance that is preferablysomewhat less than, but in no case exceeds, the dimension S. Since thepaths traversed by webs C and E will thus be slightly longer than anintegral number of set lengths L, the manifestations of the workoperations performed in these webs will have effectively been shiftedsaid preselected constant distance backward in those webs at the instantthe superposed webs A-G are severed by cut-off unit 19; note that scoreunit 18 makes a final stub score 112 (see FIG. at the same time cut-offunit 19 severs the webs along an edge 113 to form the discrete sets 100.

As a result of this shift of webs C and E, the thumb notches 106 incorresponding plies C, E of each set 100 will have been effectivelyshifted from the trailing edge of the set (see plies B,D,F' in FIG. 5)back into the stub portion 102 of the immediately succeeding set; andthe special stub score 107 in plies C,E' will have been effectivelyshifted from stub portion 102 (see ply D) back into the leading part ofthe main portions 101 of the same set.

It will thus be seen that, in accordance with the invention,manifestations of work operations simultaneously performed in aplurality of webs can be shifted either into or from what later becomesdiscardable portion 102 of a multiple ply set 100 so that saidmanifestations will appear in the main portions 101 only of those pliesin which it is actually desired.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent thatvarious changes may be made in the method and apparatus withoutdeparting from the spirit, scope and teaching of the present invention.Accordingly, the method and apparatus herein disclosed are to beconsidered merely as illustrative, and the scope of the invention is tobe limited only as specified in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Method of manufacturing from a plurality of webs a multiple plyset inwhich each ply of the set has a primary portion and a discardableportion, comprising the steps of:

performing with a single set of tools concurrently on a group of webswhile they are in superposed relation a selected work operation toproduce a manifestation actually desired in only some of the webs of thegroup,

directing at least one of the webs of the group into a path of differentlength than that of the others, and then remerging them to cause themanifestation of the work operation in each such one web to becomedisplaced a preselected amount relative to that in the other webs,

transversely scoring the remerged webs concurrently with a single set oftools to create one transverse boundary between the primary portion anddiscardable portion, and

transversely severing the remerged webs concurrently with another singleset of tools to cut the webs into discrete sets of superposed pliesalong a line defining the other boundary between said primary anddiscardable portions in succeeding discrete sets, the particular webs sodisplaced and said preselected amount of displacement being such as tocause the manifestation to be present in the primary portion in thoseplies where it is desired and in the discardable portion in theremaining plies where it is tolerable.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the work operation isperformed on said group at any of a plurality of locations displacedlongitudinally along the web feed path,

one location selected to cause the manifestation to appear in theprimary portion of the plies severed from the non-displaced webs, and inthe discardable portion of the plies severed from the displaced webs,and

another location selected to cause the manifestation to appear in thediscardable portion of the plies severed from the non-displaced webs,and in the primary portion of the plies severed from the displaced webs.

3. The method according to claim 1, including the step of prc vidingtooling that is prepositionable into different combinations of rotativepositions to perform any one of a plurality of different selectableadditional work operations on at least some of the webs while they aredirected into such paths of different length.

4. Apparatus for manufacturing from a plurality of webs discretemultiple ply sets in which each ply of the set comprises a primaryportion and a discardable portion, said apparatus comprising means forperforming at least one selected work operation concurrently on a groupof the webs while they are in superposed relation,

means for thereafter directing at least a certain web of the group alonga path of a length different from that of others of the group to causethe manifestations of the work operations in such certain web to belongitudinally displaced a predetermined amount relative to that in saidothers,

means for thereafter remerging the webs into superposed relation,

means for scoring the webs concurrently in a direction generallytransversely of the web feed direction to create a line of demarcationbetween the primary and discardable portions and, through suchlongitudinal displacement of each such certain Web, cause themanifestation to be physically I present at one side of such line ineach such certain web and at the other side of such line in the otherwebs, and

means for thereafter severing the webs into discrete sets of superposedplies, such that the manifestation of the work operation will be presentin one of the portions of each such certain web and be present in theother portion of each other web.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, including means for drawing all thewebs through the apparatus at a predetermined constant speed, and

tendency rolls in each such path driven at about 5 percent less thansaid constant speed to maintain operations from one side or the otherside of such web.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the toolcylinders of each pair has relieved portions that in one of saidcombination of rotative positions is positioned opposite a blade membercarried by the other'cylinder to provide a clearance gap at the nip'sufficient to enable passage of the web without scoring.

1. Method of manufacturing from a plurality of webs a multiple ply set in which each ply of the set has a primary portion and a discardable portion, comprising the steps of: performing with a single set of tools concurrently on a group of webs while they are in superposed relation a selected work operation to produce a manifestation actually desired in only some of the webs of the group, directing at least one of the webs of the group into a path of different length than that of the others, and then remerging them to cause the manifestation of the work operation in each such one web to become displaced a preselected amount relative to that in the other webs, transversely scoring the remerged webs concurrently with a single set of tools to create one transverse boundary between the primary portion and discardable portion, and transversely severing the remerged webs concurrently with another single set of tools to cut the webs into discrete sets of superposed plies along a line defining the other boundary between said primary and discardable portions in succeeding discrete sets, the particular webs so displaced and said preselected amount of displacement being such as to cause the manifestation to be present in the primary portion in those plies where it is desired and in the discardable portion in the remaining plies where it is tolerable.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the work operation is performed on said group at any of a plurality of locations displaced longitudinally along the web feed path, one location selected to cause the manifestation to appear in the primary portion of the plies severed from the non-displaced webs, and in the discardable portion of the plies severed from the displaced webs, and another location selected to cause the manifestation to appear in the discardable portion of the plies severed from the non-displaced webs, and in the primary portion of the plies severed from the displaced webs.
 3. The method according to claim 1, including the step of providing tooling that is prepositionable into different combinations of rotative positions to perform any one of a plurality of different selectable additional work operations on at least some of the webs while they are directed into such paths of different length.
 4. Apparatus for manufacturing from a plurality of webs discrete multiple ply sets in which each ply of the set comprises a primary portion and a discardable portion, said apparatus comprising means for performing at least one selected work operation concurrently on a group of the webs while they are in superposed relation, means for thereafter directing at least a certain web of the group along a paTh of a length different from that of others of the group to cause the manifestations of the work operations in such certain web to be longitudinally displaced a predetermined amount relative to that in said others, means for thereafter remerging the webs into super-posed relation, means for scoring the webs concurrently in a direction generally transversely of the web feed direction to create a line of demarcation between the primary and discardable portions and, through such longitudinal displacement of each such certain web, cause the manifestation to be physically present at one side of such line in each such certain web and at the other side of such line in the other webs, and means for thereafter severing the webs into discrete sets of superposed plies, such that the manifestation of the work operation will be present in one of the portions of each such certain web and be present in the other portion of each other web.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, including means for drawing all the webs through the apparatus at a predetermined constant speed, and tendency rolls in each such path driven at about 5 percent less than said constant speed to maintain each web under a desired minimum degree of tension to minimize variation in running registration.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one pair of rotary tool cylinders are disposed at opposite sides of at least one of said webs, at least one such cylinder being independently orientable in a predetermined number of rotative positions to provide a plurality of different selectable combinations of rotative positions for performing correspondingly different work operations from one side or the other side of such web.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the tool cylinders of each pair has relieved portions that in one of said combination of rotative positions is positioned opposite a blade member carried by the other cylinder to provide a clearance gap at the nip sufficient to enable passage of the web without scoring. 